The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, October 19, 2003
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Isaiah 53:10-11
Psalm 33:4-5,18-20,22
Hebrews 4:14-16
Mark 10:35-45

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

As we strive to grow in grace and holiness through the kindness of God, we may be prompted by the Holy Spirit to serve the Body of Christ in ways unique only to ourselves. Some of us may discern a vocation to the priesthood or the religious life, some of us may assist as lectors, others may help with the music ministry, and others may perform hidden acts of kindness unseen by the rest of us.

But who is greatest in the eye of God? Does it matter if we are seen or respected by anyone else?

In our humanity, it is only natural for us to want to be seen by others with respect. And somewhat like the two apostles in today's Gospel, we may desire respect and a position of honor. How pitiful and sad that we should ever want to seek to be better than others or to gauge our actions by such useless ideals. Surely we must know deep within our hearts, that the talents we possess are gifts given from God.

Let us faithfully keep before ourselves, a willingness to serve God as perfectly as possible in every little act that we perform each moment of the day. Let's always do everything in the name of God. Let's always praise God for his kindness and let's be sure to thank Him for His blessings of daily trial through which we may be purified.

See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, to deliver them from death and to preserve them in spite of famine. (Psalm 33:18-19)

- Joachim

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posted by joachim at 7:03 AM